This is not a sure fire way and I've used it a time or two but when the pups are out playing at their own leisure I'll kick a bucket toward them and make a note of which ones tuck tail and run and which ones stand their ground and bow up to the challenge, it's still all 50/50, there's also a lot of determining factors in a pups rearing that determines their outcome in life...
I like doing stuff like that just because it is very interesting to see the different personalities. I agree with you goose its still a crap shoot and there are a lot of other just as important variables as well.